The Final exam (1)

He looked toward the edge of the forest and enjoyed the cool refreshing morning breeze caressing his skin. He lifted his head up toward the sky and watched as the sun rose slowly, casting its warm, golden light down on the canopy. The serene environment was deceptively so, and Xin knew he should not dare let his guard down during such a critical examination.

He took one deep breath, clearing his mind and heightening his senses. The leaves rustling with the wind, birds chirping afar, and faint noises of animals in foliage snapped him into awareness. Looking vigilant toward the forest, he searched for any kind of movement that would show the exam proctor.

When he heard a crack, his instincts kicked in, and his mind already ran with potential dangers lurking around. Hone by years of experience of hiding from the kingpin and taking in the account of his mixblood his ears were long and sensitive to sound, because of his elven blood therefore even without his hax, he sprinted toward the west. His ears played the pounding sound of his feet against the forest floor, but he didn't let that stray his attention.

He seemed to run past blurring branches and bushes. His eyes searched unceasingly around for any sign of danger. He knew the examiner of his exam could be lurking anywhere, waiting to ambush him, and every fiber in his body was on high alert, his body primed for action.

Coming out from behind a clump of bushes, Xin was confronted with the imposing figure of the exam proctor. The man was tall, his mask bearing enigmatic symbols, his long green dreads pulled back into his head in a ponytail donning a grey button down shirt black trousers with matching shoes.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here-my name is Cassidy, pleased to meet your acquaintance"

The examiner flashed a mischievous grin as he spoke.

"A nice lady like you shouldn't be walking around here all by herself. Let me walk you out of here.".

Perplexed, Xin furrowed his brow in confusion at the odd behaviour of the proctor overseeing the exam. Before he could spend the time on it that he wanted, however, the proctor suddenly dove forward, shooting a great spout of water towards Xin. With a hurried rush, Xin dodged to the side in time for the blast to hit the ground he had been standing on only a moment before.

The proctor chuckled as he watched Xin's quick reaction.

"You're quite agile, I see. But can you keep up with me?"

Xın clenched his teeth in frustration as it dawned on him that he was stuck and couldn't apply his hax to this exam. He'd need to be good with only combat skills and quick reflexes, which the proctor of this particular exam seemed to be intentionally testing with his manipulation of water.

Xin launched himself forward, scowling, and began to rain quick jabs and kicks down on the proctor. The proctor was just too quick; he dodged and weaved with ease before sending another wave of water crashing toward Xin. He leaped to the side, barely outrunning the wave, before readied for a counterattack.

The proctor's attack wouldn't abate-the hurling water wave towards Xin. Of all of this, he could dodge, but one part of it scratched his arm and gave him excruciating pain. He didn't allow that to perturb him; he mustered all his strength and pounced towards the proctor.

With a mighty punch, Xin struck towards his proctor's middle, only to meet his fist with a wall of water. The proctor smiled as, in quick succession, Xin changed tactics and kicked upwards to his head. The proctor dodged this professionally before firing a counterattack with water that flung Xin backward onto the ground.

Injured but far from defeated, Xin struggled to his feet and dove at the proctor once more, wiping the water from his eyes as he did. His adrenaline well and truly pumping now, he dodged and weaved with grace around the proctor's assaults, striking true time and again.

No matter how hard he tried, Xin couldn't predict what exactly the proctor was going to do next. The latter suddenly seemed to get all of his energy back and conjured a gigantic wave of water right on top of Xin's head that slammed him onto the ground with a blunt thud. Forgetting the pain in his arm, Xin picked himself up in a flash.

"I must say, you're quite skilled,"

The examiner commented, his voice echoing through the serene woods as he walked around Xin, scrutinizing his every action closely. Xin kept his guard up, his eyes never leaving the actions of the examiner.

The proctor raised his hands again and another wave of water washed in, but quite surprisingly, Xin kept his cool; he looked around for an object to aid him in turning the tables.

As these two opponents took turns exchanging and counterbalancing with each other, many of the strikes occurred, after which Xin couldn't help thinking that there was something especially odd with regards to the proctor's fighting style. It wasn't the raw power which was impressive, but more that he was fluid-moving from one stance effortlessly into another.

The proctor's tone was smoothly seductive, goading Xin.

"Come on, darling ,He teased.

"You aint even breakin' a sweat. Is that all you got?" xin lampooned. 

Xin's gaze flickered to a fallen tree branch lying on the ground, not too far from him. He flashed towards it, snatched it up in both hands, and whirled to face the examiner.

Xin's thoughts began to race as the firm grasp on his hands tightened. He knew he needed to think fast if he were going to outmaneuver the exam proctor and emerge victorious.

Standing there, his mind racing, the exam proctor raised his hands once more and summoned another wave of water. Xin knew he had to act-and fast. He looked around, searching for anything that he could use to his advantage.

"Oh, a branch. How cute. What are you going to do with that, sweetie?"

The proctor asked heavy with sarcasm in his voice.

A mischievous grin spread across Xin's face as he retorted,

"Well, I suppose you shall just have to wait and see."

Xin charged at the proctor of the exam, flourishing his branch like a sword. The latter quickly responded by conjuring another wave of water; however, Xin was unfazed. With a mighty swing, he sent the wave back and sprinkled water everywhere.

While the proctor was stumbling, Xin construed that as his chance and brought the branch against his opponent's head with force that could not have been tougher; the latter, however, managed to get out in time from the encroachment.

He regained from the missed strike, and exposing himself to the counterattack of the proctor of the exam. "Call another wave." he called this time right into the chest of Xin. However, quick on his feet, Xin used the branch in his hand to shield that wave to leave him unharmed.

Realizing he was in a position that he could not afford to be caught off guard, Xin's focus and alertness never strayed from his opponent. He watched as the caution Circling of the exam proctor searched for a weakness in his defense. However, Xin was just as careful, making sure to keep his guard up at all times.

He suddenly lunged himself forward, spurting a stream of water directly onto Xin's face. Helping herself to some cool composure, Xin leaped up in a mid-air twist behind the proctor, catching him by absolute surprise.

"You're quite skilled,"

The presiding examiner said, his eyes glinting with admiration.

"But you can't beat me so easily."

He steeled himself as the examining proctor swung his arms in a wide circle, conjuring another wave. But he was prepared this time; he swung the branch with all his might, deflecting the wave and sending it back towards the exam proctor. Sure enough, the wave hit him squarely in the chest, knocking him backward. Seeing his chance, Xin charged for him, branch raised like a weapon.

The Proctor of the Exam lost his balance, tumbled backward-but it was too late. Xin swung it again, this time across his face; the force sent him onto the ground.

"Impressive,

The proctor of the exam grinned and said so, defeated. "You're a force to be reckoned with, my dear."

Xin smiled, a feeling of satisfaction washing over him. "Don't you ever underestimate me"

The exam proctor looked surprised, but he quickly regained his composure.

"My apologies, He said, nodding. "You have passed your final exam with flying colors. Congratulations. Xin